The recent release of the HBO movie “Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery” has sparked controversy by alleging that Canadian cryptography expert Peter Todd is actually Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin. The film presents footage and sources suggesting that Todd has made sarcastic comments in the past about being Satoshi, leading to speculation. Despite this, Todd has consistently denied the claims.
Following the release of the film, Todd has withdrawn from public life, citing concerns for his personal safety. In a recent interview with Wired, Todd highlighted the dangers of being falsely portrayed as extremely wealthy, noting the potential risks of robbery or kidnapping that could result from such misrepresentation.
Todd expressed disappointment that the film did not focus on Bitcoin’s history as he had expected, criticizing filmmaker Cullen Hoback for using questionable evidence to support the conclusion that he is Satoshi Nakamoto. Hoback, on the other hand, downplayed Todd’s concerns, stating that any danger has been exaggerated and emphasizing the importance of uncovering Nakamoto’s identity due to the potential influence they could have on the crypto market.
Despite the claims made in the film, many in the crypto community remain skeptical, leaving the mystery of Bitcoin’s true creator unresolved. In a separate development, British IT engineer James Howells is suing Newport City Council for $647 million over a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin that he accidentally discarded in 2013.
